Jargon

I'm finally learning the applicant language. So far these are in my B-school glossary. Feel free to add to build this up :)

b-school
R1, R2, R3
admit
ding
information sessions

Since I've decided last week that I'm going to be actively pursuing b-school, I've gone online (even at work..hehehe) to research and read up on admissions, schools, fees, and such. What I've discovered is that there is a whole COMMUNITY of applicants out there who religiously update their blogs on their own b-school application adventures! I've been a fan of some blogs out there (usually friends, photographers, and models) and lately I've added Marina's B-School Adventures to my list. She's such a lucky, lucky girl to have been admitted to Columbia -- her and my dream school! Actually it's a little frustrating reading her blog maybe because I'm really envious of her. She's done with the nerve-wracking wait, not knowing which school will accept you or if you'll even be accepted at all.

R + 10 days
Work has just been c-ray-zee! It's like I've experienced "hell week" again back in college. In the review front, haven't been doing too well lately on that also. I'm now in the Math section of the first book and since my weaknesses are numbers and equations, I'm really disappointed with the results I've been getting in the practice quizzes. This is the exact opposite of the "high" I felt 3 days ago when I got the hang of the Verbal questions. I just keep reminding myself that this is just the start and that I have time to perfect it. Mustn't lose heart and sight of that goal!

Break

I'm taking a break from the nightly studying, if you can even call it that. Last night I was just so pooped that i fell into bed and slept from 1130pm -530am. I am now at our house in Cavite where my dad is hosting a late Christmas salu-salo (get-together) for his bank branch managers batch 2. Last week he also had the party for batch 1.

I of course brought my review book with me but I'm feeling less inclined to study today than I was this past week. Maybe this is just a hang-over from the pathetic scores I got after review Math. *sigh* And besides, I've been having headaches and "below-the-skull" pain for a week now. I guess it's time to rest my eyes for a while from the computer and intense reading. On the way to Cavite, which is about an hour's drive from Manila, I just can't keep my thoughts from drifiting to b-school. I just have to remain confident that I can make it. I included this goal in my prayers because I really need divine intervention :-)

R + 7 days

What is this blog all about? I'd like to chronicle my journey towards that coveted MBA degree and I hope that I can make it to the end. Since this is the obligatory first post I'll have to talk about myself, my hopes and dreams, yada yada yada.

So when did I start this "journey"? I've been thinking about MBA on and off since graduating from college 5 years ago. It was mainly because my parents have been bugging me about it, constantly reminding me that if I want to make it in the corporate world it is better to have an advanced degree. My godmother who is my mom's eldest sister, has also been asking me about it. It doesn't help though that her son (my eldest cousin) went to Wharton about 8 years ago and is now doing extremely well. My cousin's story inspires me but at the same time it scares me. He's a lot more intelligent but I still feel that I have to live up to or reach that certain high standard that most of my family members have achieved (an uncle also attended Wharton). How about poor, average me?

My target schools
Right now I want to get in to Columbia primarily because it's in New York, a city that I absolutely love (next to Florence, Italy). It's also one of the top 10 learning institutions in the US (and I guess that makes it one of the top schools in the world) and I've been to an information session last year where I was impressed by the admissions officer's presentation and the Filipino alumni who were there to share their experiences. Of course Wharton is another choice but I'm not banking on that one. I'd have to perfect the GMAT to compensate for my academic grades and lack of extracurricular activities. I've recently added Kellog and Tepper to the list along with INSEAD in Singapore and Stern.

Dreaded GMAT
I'm now trying to study for the GMAT. My target is to finish my preparation for it in 2 months. I bought 3 recommended books last year when I was first inspired to apply. That inspiration eventually fizzled due to my workload and other personal stuff. You may have noticed that at the top of my entry is a count of the days since I started studying. Expect to see that as I really try to stay focused.

So there..you know what my ramblings will be all about. If I start talking about other things such as hobbies, movies, pets, work remind me that I have another blog specifically for these. Hehehe! I want this blog to just be about MBA to help me keep my focus on that goal :)